marginality

American  

[mahr-juh-nal-i-tee] / ˌmɑr dʒəˈnæl ɪ ti /

noun

1. Sociology. the state or condition of being isolated from and not fully accepted by the dominant society or culture, and therefore frequently disadvantaged.

   The marginality of certain groups has specific consequences when it comes to the social impact of any natural disaster.

2. the state or condition of being outside the mainstream or far from the center of activity, attention, etc..

   The marginality of the location makes it difficult for residents to have easy access to facilities and jobs.

   He had his fans, despite the marginality of his art.

3. the quality or condition of being at the outer or lower limits of adequacy for survival, success, viability, etc..

   Even if the climate was more benign during the time of the Norse settlements, the marginality of life in Greenland can be appreciated.

4. the quality or state of being of minor importance, relevance, or effect.

   Experts say the terrorist organization’s weaknesses will soon cause it to decay into marginality anyway.

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Etymology

Origin of marginality

First recorded in 1845–55; marginal ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

It wasn’t just marginality that coaxed cynefin from me in West Wales.

From Salon • May 27, 2024

Nor is marginality the most pressing question for artists today, given the increasingly prominent place Black contemporary artists occupy now, Gaines told me.

From New York Times • Dec. 27, 2023

Fincantieri confirmed its expectations for 2023 revenues being substantially in-line with 2022 levels, with a marginality of about 5%.

From Reuters • Nov. 15, 2023

For all her social marginality, Peggy is the hero here, the most capable character, if only because the challenges she faces, including the ones she sets herself, are more outrageous, dangerous or harder to meet.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2023

Unable to surmount these obstacles, most will eventually return to prison and then be released again, caught in a closed circuit of perpetual marginality.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander